European Blockchain Services Infrastructure – Now and Tomorrow (Report)
©Adobe Stock
On 8 October 2019, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre invited blockchain experts to the event Blockchain Now and Tomorrow: Assessing Multidimensional Impacts of Distributed Ledger Technologies. The event launched the report “Blockchain Now and Tomorrow", which provides multidimensional insights into the state of blockchain technology.
This report explains how blockchain can enable parties with no particular trust in each other to exchange digital data on a peer-to-peer basis with fewer or no third parties or intermediaries. This report seeks to go beyond the hype and debunk some of blockchain's controversies by offering both an in-depth and practical understanding of blockchain and its possible applications.
This report also notes EU-level strategies on how to take advantage of blockchain technology, notably the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), which will support digital services deployed by the public sector and eventually by private actors.
Peteris Zilgalvis, Head of the Digital Innovation and Blockchain Unit in the Directorate-General or Communications Networks, Content and Technology presented EBSI at the launch event.
EBSI is a joint initiative from the European Commission and the European Blockchain Partnership (EBP) to deliver EU-wide cross-border public services using blockchain technology. The EBSI will be materialised as a network of distributed nodes across Europe (the blockchain), leveraging an increasing number of applications focused on specific use cases. In 2020, the EBSI will become a Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Building Block, providing reusable software, specifications and services to support adoption by European public administrations and the EU Institutions.
In 2019, EBSI user groups of national experts aim to deliver prototype applications in the areas of notarisation, diplomas, European self-sovereign identity (eSSIF) and trusted data sharing. During the event, Marciella Atzori (expert for the Italian Ministry of Economic Development) specifically highlighted the importance or potential for citizens of the diplomas and European Self-Sovereign Identity use cases as part of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure.
You can keep up to date with the latest EBSI developments by registering to this newsletter.